THE IMPORTANCE OF

CORAL REEFS TO THE

Introduction.

The biodiversity of marine life has been known as to be filled with mystery and wonder. Marine
life comprises of species and organisms that sustain as the foundation of life through waters and
contributes oxygen to the whole planet (United Nations, exhibit). Conversely, the one thing that maintains
life to all marine species are the Coral Reefs.

Coral reefs are recorded to be the highest biodiversity in the ecosystem, which is estimated to be
occupying 25% of the marine life (Coral Reef Alliance). Defined by Ross R. (2018) coral reefs are “large
underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates”. Furthermore, they
take on a colorful and unique appearance yet also feeds on small fishes and planktons.

The range of contribution of coral reefs isn’t limited to marine life only, as it contributes to our economy
and our resources. Its functionality serves the cycle of food chain under the marine ecosystem, possesses
the process of photosynthesis, provides habitats and homes to varying marine species, and purifies the
ocean waters. (Queensland Museum). Meanwhile, according to the National Ocean System, a healthy
coral reef system ensures the stability of marine ecosystem, while it can also be an opportunity for
tourism and increases the economy of each area.

There are not many adverse concepts toward the existence of coral reefs but were corresponded with
beneficial factors. Stated by National Oceanic system, coral reefs protect coastlines, where land meets
water (Rutleg K. et al., 2022), from erosion and natural disasters. These are also beneficial to each
community as it offers recreational activities such as, scuba-diving, snorkeling, and fishing, as well as
tourism opportunities (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

However, by human activities and unrighteous acts, coral reefs is known to be facing threats against their
species and may even be the general ecosystem. Conforming from the EPA, there are several local and
global threats to coral reefs.

Local threats: Physical damage to the corals, coral harvesting, pollution and improper disposal, toxic
and pathogenic contamination, and overfishing. These threats can decrease the population of coral
reefs and marine species, while it can also cause the entire ecosystem to be contaminated by diseases
and filth.

Global threats: Coral bleaching, a natural process that bleaches corals which can result in rising of sea
levels, vulnerability to infection, and frequent hydro-related natural disasters. Ocean Acidification, is
the concentrations of carbon dioxide present that leads to acids being released to the waters.
Statement of the Problem.

 What are the significant factors of coral reefs?

Hypothesis.

The main question of the study is figuring the significance of coral reefs to the biodiversity and
its impact of extinction. My hypothesis suggests that coral reefs are one of the major benefactors in
sustaining the biodiversity, which focuses more onto marine ecosystems and impacts to our community.
Following their extinction, this could take a huge loss to all biodiversity, especially to compensating its
impact through all of us.

Specifically, the lack of coral reefs can condemn all organisms to deprive in their needs of survival and
cause ecosystems to break down due to their lack of presence.
 CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature.

A study by Cole A. et al. (2008), suggests that a portion of the biodiversity, particularly
Corallivorous fishes uses corals as their food supply and resource to survive. However in their methods of
predation they can cause coral bleaching and huge disturbance to their species. Briefly, their study
concludes of the importance of coral-feeding fishes to coral reefs, likewise their adversity.

According to a zoologist (Sebens K., 1994), coral reefs are prone to threats mostly within the
marine ecosystem itself and external environments. These threats are, predator outbreaks, natural
occurrences, pollution, recreational activities, commercial use and even global warming. The occurring
threats led to the reduction of coral reefs, however it has also made people aware of their condition and
implemented policies and protection among them.

The concept of Munday P. (2004) states that coral reefs are indeed in harm nowadays. The
occurrences of coral bleaching and coastal development may cause degradation and loss of coral reefs and
its inhabitants. Following the extinction of coral reefs, small portions of species, closely related to coral
reefs, shall also cease to extinct, while other biodiversity can also be affected.

A review from the study of Francini-Filho R. et al. (2018) concludes that coral reef threats from
the amazon area. These threats diverse in external and internal environments as human are the primary
threat to most. Through their observations, gas and oil spills increases the process of coral bleaching and
reef degradation. Likewise, other threats compose of marine explorations, commercial utilization, and
overfishing.

Eddy T. et al. (2021) conducted a study involving the threats and its consequences to coral reefs,
as for the main part, the declination of its services and functions were mostly observed. The global threats
were enlisted to be climate change, overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. The proceeding threats
caused the loss of biodiversity throughout marine life and the sustainability of each coastline.

In an article of the Reefcause team examined consequences if coral reefs were to cease existence.
Their hypothesis of these situation concludes of; lesser fish found in the waters, adverse effects to the fish
and tourism industry, coastline destruction, and lesser resources.
 A blog proposed by Sharma U. et al. (2018), refers to ongoing threats such as coral bleaching and
loss of the species itself. As they formulated a scenario of those who shall be affected without the
presence of coral reefs. Conversely, the one who suffers from these situations is all organisms including
us. The reduction of marine habitats, a loss to human industries, lesser fish species, and a scarcity
throughout food and natural resources.

The study of J.E Maragos et al. introduced the threatened relationship of coral reefs and diversity,
for coral reefs sustain a huge portion of the biodiversity as well as its stability. Coral reefs are degraded
and threatened due to extensive amounts of human activities and pollution. As with the state of coral reefs
currently, it may impact the standard condition of the biodiversity.

An article published by Australis (2019) mentions the significance of coral reefs throughout our
environment. As this serves to provide habitat and protection to the surrounding factors of the species.
Lastly, coral reefs are also one of our benefactors in our economy and medical field.

Another article in a site titles “scuba.com” enlisted the biggest factors of coral reef destruction.
To which these factors are namely, Reef bleaching, Dynamite fishing, Water pollution, Sedimentation (a
process where land particles are brought to the marine ecosystem) and tourists. As the continuation of
these behaviors might cause extinction to coral reefs in approximately the year 2050.

Lastly, from a project which purpose is to conserve coral reefs has introduced threats and
consequences towards the ecosystem. These threats were El Nino, which had a record of destroying coral
reefs to a previous occurrence, Ocean acidification and carbon dioxide emissions. Further on, they have
stated the following consequences about the issues “As the coral reefs die, coastlines become more
susceptible to damage and flooding from storms, hurricanes, and cyclones.” Whereas the presence of
coral reefs help prevents serious disasters from the ocean.
References:

United Nations exhibit (n.d). Our Beautiful Ocean.

https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/page/our-beautiful-ocean%E2%80%8B

Coral Reef Alliance (n.d). CORAL REEFS 101 › WHY CARE ABOUT REEFS? Biodiversity.

https://coral.org/en/coral-reefs-101/why-care-about-reefs/biodiversity/?
fbclid=IwAR3xODAtmTmBz8XDhfvSsPde46OkUIW_9f12b7OSMUQ1966SvgTDoTuMzSI

Queensland Musem (n.d). Biodiscovery and the great Barrier Reef, HUMAN IMPACT ON THE REEF.

https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/05human-impact/importance-of-coral-reefs.html?
fbclid=IwAR2VxHVeInPiUwuNqIyCu0TS8X7Mz3QNaKwKvMhMt7fFHdBaP8q9J_M4JC8

Nation Ocean Service (n.d) The Importance of Coral Reefs.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/coral07_importance.html

Ross R. (September 2018). What Are Coral Reefs?

https://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html

 National Geographic, Rutledge K. et al. (May 2022) Coast.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/coast

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (February 2019). Coral reef ecosystems

https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/marine-life/coral-reef-ecosystems#:~:text=Benefits
%20of%20coral%20reef%20ecosystems,food%2C%20income%2C%20and%20protection.

Cole A. et al. (August 2008). Diversity and functional importance of coral-feeding fishes on tropical coral
reefs.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2008.00290.x

Munday P. (September 2004) Habitat loss, resource specialization, and extinction on coral reefs

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00839.x

Francini-Filho R. et al. (April 2018). Perspectives on the Great Amazon Reef: Extension, Biodiversity,
and Threats.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2018.00142/full?utm_campaign=Imprensa%20%7C
%20Press
%20release&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=62128631&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-
9J9jKOD6c8noMjbMQXpZgbW63llg_jMCJKax0UeSahmqk1XXwnJliFbgqKqJe0CAKN2-
YtDAjU2qKhtquT-kTWyIYwqmdAIgcv-Y2_2I_FHkNb7cg&_hsmi=62128631

Eddy T. et al. (September 2021). Global decline in capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332221004747

ReefCause Team (April 2021). What Would Happen If There Were No More Coral Reefs?

https://conservation.reefcause.com/what-would-happen-if-there-were-no-more-coral-reefs/#:~:text=If
%20coral%20reefs%20disappeared%2C%20essential,economically%20important%20species%20would
%20disappear.

Sharma U. et al. (April 2018). The terrible things that would happen if all the coral reefs died off

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-if-all-coral-reefs-died-off-2017-12

J.E Maragos et al. (1996).CORAL REEFS AND BIODIVERSITY: A CRITICAL AND THREATENED
RELATIONSHIP

https://tos.org/oceanography/assets/docs/9-1_maragos.pdf

Australis (July 2019). The importance of coral reefs: Why they’re crucial to the environment.

https://blogpatagonia.australis.com/importance-coral-reefs-environment/

Deep Dive (n.d) 5 Main Causes of Coral Reef Destruction.

https://www.scuba.com/blog/ocean-news/5-main-coral-reef-destruction/?
fbclid=IwAR1Kj46aA5Z4ARdit5sP26TdVLbdSsOw2dd5Hwwe9oUEUVph2487MBwzDd0
What is coral reef

https://www.livescience.com/40276-coral-reefs.html

https://coral.org/en/coral-reefs-101/why-care-about-reefs/biodiversity/

Functions

https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/05human-impact/importance-of-coral-reefs.html

Significance

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/
files/documents/CES-
001.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiFxPq_4aX4AhUzR2wGHUxJBt0QFnoECAcQBg&usg=AOvVaw0WhelziKjk
CthSwMcD8PUr

Threats/issues

https://www.epa.gov/coral-reefs/threats-coral-reefs

https://www.globalissues.org/article/173/coral-reefs